WALT COBB: How is it fair to sue search and rescue volunteer groups?
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A couple of items came to mind this week as I attempt to keep up with some of the goings on around the world.
One is the assumption by some that it is their God-given right to be rescued when they do something stupid.
It goes on summer and winter to one extent or another: snowmobiling, river rafting, hiking, skiing, etc. without proper safety measures or equipment.
In the news now is the case last winter where the couple was stranded on some mountain somewhere in B.C. and their SOS signs in the snow were not heeded.
It is unfortunate that someone lost their life, but what were they doing there in the first place, and as I said, what gives them the idea that someone needs to be at their beckon call to rescue them?
I am not saying this couple were doing anything wrong, but I’m using it as a case in point. Unfortunately their plea for help was not answered.
Some are doing things they should not have been doing, and doing so, they must be prepared to suffer the consequences.
In many cases that consequence is their life. I know we have a bunch of dedicated volunteers, and in many cases they put their lives on the line in different situations to rescue someone.
What bothers me most is, because their plea was not responded to in a timely manner and death occurred, those volunteers are now in the midst of legal action and could jeopardize their personal lives, their families and their financial situation. Is this fair?
Now those volunteer societies are refusing to help anyone, and I don’t blame them.
What state are we coming to in Canada when we are allowed to sue someone because they did not come and help us when we did something that put our life at risk or did not follow the rules?
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